Kirabelle Barcelo is greeted by teacher Diana McBride on the first day of class at Peters K-3 Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Transitional kindergarten teacher Robyn Russell talks to her students on the first day of class at Peters K-3 Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A student heads to the first day of class at Peters K-3 Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brothers Dylan and Daniel Sagiao, from left, take a photo for their mom on the first day of class at Peters K-3 Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Iris Romero sings and acts out a song with her classmates on the first day of class at Peters K-3 Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Giami Dinh and Violette Ramos greet each other on the first day of class at Peters K-3 Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nora Placinta has a laugh with a classmate on the first day of class at Peters K-3 Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
First grade student Isabella Escobar waves goodbye as she heads to the first day of class at Peters K-3 Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
First grade student Alyson Ignacio takes a photo on the first day of class at Peters K-3 Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Aaliyah Nieto gives a high five to school nurse Tina Gonzalez on the first day of class at Peters K-3 Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Kirabelle Barcelo is greeted by teacher Diana McBride on the first day of class at Peters K-3 Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The time has come for students to open up their textbooks and launch into another year of learning.
But first, there was time for hugs and high-fives Monday, Aug. 11, as friends reunited and teachers welcomed back their pupils. Parents quelled first-day jitters and snapped photos to mark the start of the school year as thousands of Garden Grove Unified students filled classrooms again after summer break.
Coming up, the Westminster School District starts classes on Aug. 26; the Fountain Valley School District, Huntington Beach Union High School District and Ocean View School District on Aug. 27 and the Huntington Beach City School District on Sept. 2.
